The Byron Bay Feros Care Village has a new operator following community outrage at Feros Care’s plans to close the facility, remove the residents from the site, and redevelop it in March 2023.
A number of residents and their families refused to move out from the facility and with strong community support fought to have the facility retained for aged care in its current format.
The site is on crown land and locals, residents, and their families fought to have crown land intervene and stop the site redevelopment by Feros Care.
On September 29 the Minister for Crown Lands, Steve Kamper, started the Expressions of Interest (EOI) process for Feros Village Byron Bay which has seen St Andrew’s Village Ballina Ltd announced today as the new preferred operator for the site.
‘The identification of a strong and committed aged accommodation provider with local roots in the Byron region is fantastic news for the residents of the Feros village and for the local community,’ Minister Kamper said.
‘Our first priority has always been the welfare and well-being of the residents. Discussions are underway to lock in a long-term lease with St Andrew’s to ensure we have a seamless transition to a new aged accommodation and care operator by the end of January.’
Chief Executive Officer of St Andrew’s Todd Yourell said, ‘St Andrew’s is delighted to be awarded this opportunity to take on the management of this facility. With the current residents being our primary focus, we look forward to meeting with them as soon as possible to consult and listen to them regarding the future of their home.’
‘This is a massive community victory and together we’ve secured the long-term future for this important aged-care facility for our area. Thanks to everyone for all your great efforts,’ said Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot.
‘After the devastating news that Feros Care would close Byron Bay’s Feros Village, state and federal Labor governments worked to find a new provider to keep the site open for residents.
‘After months of work, we’ve secured St. Andrew’s, an established provider of aged care services, to run the current Feros Village site and continue to provide high-quality care. All residents will be able to remain on the site. I’m proud to be your strong voice in the Albanese government delivering a long-term home for the residents of Feros.
‘A big thank you also to the Byron Shire Council and our community for your work in helping us make this happen.’
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